Abstract: A method of performing minimally invasive surgery includes inserting an access port through the skin of a patient and positioning the access port so that a distal end of the access port enters or is in contact with an intervertebral disk. An instrument is inserted through the access port such that a distal end portion of the instrument extends into the intervertebral disk, and the instrument is manipulated to pass a shaft portion of the instrument through at least a portion of a slot of the port.

Abstract: An access port for minimally invasive surgery includes an elongate, tubular main body portion, a slot extending over a length of the main body portion in a lengthwise direction, and a flap which covers the slot in a closed configuration, while exposing the slot when in an open configuration. The slot extends through a wall of the main body portion, from an outside surface of the main body portion to an inside surface of the main body portion.

Abstract: A method of performing minimally invasive surgery includes inserting an access port through the skin of a patient and positioning the access port so that a distal end of the access port enters or is in contact with an intervertebral disk. An instrument is inserted through the access port such that a distal end portion of the instrument extends into the intervertebral disk, and the instrument is manipulated to pass a shaft portion of the instrument through at least a portion of a slot of the port.

Abstract: An access port for minimally invasive surgery includes an elongate, tubular main body portion, a connector configured to fix at least a portion of the access port to a stationary object; and a slot extending over a length of the main body portion in a lengthwise direction, wherein the slot extends through a wall of the main body portion, from an outside surface of the main body portion to an inside surface of the main body portion.

Abstract: A surgical plate system, components and methods of using are described. A surgical plate system includes a plate having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis and a through hole passing through the anterior and posterior surfaces. A variable fastener is configured and dimensioned to connect to the plate, the variable fastener having a head and a shaft extending distally from the head. The head is configured to assume different proximal end diameters. The head, in a first configuration allows inward flexing to reduce a diameter of the head to allow the head to pass through an entrance opening of the through hole. In a second configuration, the head is prevented from flexing inwardly thereby preventing the head from backing out of the entrance opening, while allowing articulation of the head, within the through hole, relative to the plate.

Abstract: Systems and method for fixation to a spinal column are described. A system includes a plate having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis and a through hole passing through the anterior and posterior surfaces; and a dynamic fixator interface member configured and dimensioned to connect to the plate within the through hole and to axially slide relative to the plate in directions of the longitudinal axis, and additionally, to rotate relative to the plate in directions about the transverse axis.

Abstract: An access port for minimally invasive surgery includes an elongate, tubular main body portion, a connector configured to fix at least a portion of the access port to a stationary object; and a slot extending over a length of the main body portion in a lengthwise direction, wherein the slot extends through a wall of the main body portion, from an outside surface of the main body portion to an inside surface of the main body portion.

Abstract: Implants, tools and methods for performing unilateral posterior lumbar interbody fusion are provided. An interbody implant includes a body having a top and bottom surface extending along a length thereof; and first and second side surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces on opposite sides of the body. The height of the first side surface is greater than the height of the second side surface.

Abstract: Transconnector devices and methods of use are provided. A transconnector device has the capability of connecting to elongate spinal fixation elements having various cross-sectional dimensions. The transconnector device is adjustable in three degrees of freedom and is curved to ensure that it maintains a minimum distance posterior of the dura when it is fixed to elongate spinal fixation elements.

Abstract: Transconnector devices and methods of use are provided. A transconnector device has the capability of connecting to elongate spinal fixation elements having various cross-sectional dimensions. The transconnector device is adjustable in three degrees of freedom and is curved to ensure that it maintains a minimum distance posterior of the dura when it is fixed to elongate spinal fixation elements.

Abstract: A surgical plate system, components and methods of using are described. A surgical plate system includes a plate having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis and a through hole passing through the anterior and posterior surfaces. A variable fastener is configured and dimensioned to connect to the plate, the variable fastener having a head and a shaft extending distally from the head. The head is configured to assume different proximal end diameters. The head, in a first configuration allows inward flexing to reduce a diameter of the head to allow the head to pass through an entrance opening of the through hole. In a second configuration, the head is prevented from flexing inwardly thereby preventing the head from backing out of the entrance opening, while allowing articulation of the head, within the through hole, relative to the plate.

Abstract: A surgical plate system, components and methods of using are described. A surgical plate system includes a plate having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis and a through hole passing through the anterior and posterior surfaces. A variable fastener is configured and dimensioned to connect to the plate, the variable fastener having a head and a shaft extending distally from the head. The head is configured to assume different proximal end diameters. The head, in a first configuration allows inward flexing to reduce a diameter of the head to allow the head to pass through an entrance opening of the through hole. In a second configuration, the head is prevented from flexing inwardly thereby preventing the head from backing out of the entrance opening, while allowing articulation of the head, within the through hole, relative to the plate.

Abstract: Implants, tools and methods for performing unilateral posterior lumbar interbody fusion are provided. An interbody implant includes a body having a top and bottom surface extending along a length thereof; and first and second side surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces on opposite sides of the body. The height of the first side surface is greater than the height of the second side surface.

Abstract: Implants, tools and methods for performing unilateral posterior lumbar interbody fusion are provided. An interbody implant includes a body having a top and bottom surface extending along a length thereof; and first and second side surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces on opposite sides of the body. The height of the first side surface is greater than the height of the second side surface.

Abstract: Implants, tools and methods for performing unilateral posterior lumbar interbody fusion are provided. An interbody implant includes a body having a top and bottom surface extending along a length thereof; and first and second side surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces on opposite sides of the body. The height of the first side surface is greater than the height of the second side surface.

Abstract: Transconnector devices and methods of use are provided. A transconnector device has the capability of connecting to elongate spinal fixation elements having various cross-sectional dimensions. The transconnector device is adjustable in three degrees of freedom and is curved to ensure that it maintains a minimum distance posterior of the dura when it is fixed to elongate spinal fixation elements.

Abstract: Transconnector devices and methods of use are provided. A transconnector device has the capability of connecting to elongate spinal fixation elements having various cross-sectional dimensions. The transconnector device is adjustable in three degrees of freedom and is curved to ensure that it maintains a minimum distance posterior of the dura when it is fixed to elongate spinal fixation elements.

Abstract: Implants, tools and methods for performing unilateral posterior lumbar interbody fusion are provided. An interbody implant includes a body having a top and bottom surface extending along a length thereof; and first and second side surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces on opposite sides of the body. The height of the first side surface is greater than the height of the second side surface.

Abstract: Transconnector devices and methods of use are provided. A transconnector device has the capability of connecting to elongate spinal fixation elements having various cross-sectional dimensions. The transconnector device is adjustable in three degrees of freedom and is curved to ensure that it maintains a minimum distance posterior of the dura when it is fixed to elongate spinal fixation elements.

Abstract: Systems and method for fixation to a spinal column are described. A system includes a plate having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis and a through hole passing through the anterior and posterior surfaces; and a dynamic fixator interface member configured and dimensioned to connect to the plate within the through hole and to axially slide relative to the plate in directions of the longitudinal axis, and additionally, to rotate relative to the plate in directions about the transverse axis.